EP2097293A2

EP2097293A2 - System and method for whole-body cryotherapy

Info

Publication number: EP2097293A2
Application number: EP07858745A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Olivier Marcel Maurice Decourcelle; Gilles Barette
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-07
Filing date: 2007-11-27
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-27
Also published as: FR2909543A1; ES2393633T3; PT2097293E; FR2909543B1; WO2008068441A1; WO2008068441A8; US20100313579A1; US8316652B2; EP2097293B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system, and to a method for installation of the system, for whole-body cryotherapy applicable to humans or animals at a temperature of the order of -110°C. According to the invention, the treatment chamber and the refrigerating means, or at least one of these two elements, are mounted on at least one mobile or transportable self-supporting structure, in a way that permits use from said self-supporting structure. It also relates to a whole-body cryotherapy system equipped with pre-chambers at intermediate temperatures, defining a modifiable or removable two-way path between the treatment chamber and the outside, and comprising means for local cryotherapy. It also relates to such a system divided into several separable modules.

Description

"System and method of whole body cryotherapy"

The present invention relates to a system, as well as its method of setting up, for whole body cryotherapy applicable to human or animal subjects, this system comprises a treatment chamber and refrigerating means able to bring or maintain a temperature less than -80 ⁰ C the atmosphere of this treatment chamber. According to the invention, this processing chamber and said refrigerating means, or at least one of these two elements, are mounted on at least one mobile or transportable self-supporting structure, in a manner allowing implementation from said self-supporting structure .

It also relates to a whole-body cryotherapy system provided with pre-chambers at intermediate temperatures, defining a modifiable or removable dual path between the treatment chamber and the outside, and comprising means for local cryotherapy.

It also relates to such a system divided into several separable modules.

The main field of the invention is that of treatment very cold, mainly applied to living beings, particularly at temperatures below -80 ⁰ C, for example between -100 ⁰ C or -120 ⁰ C, often in the vicinity -110 ⁰ C.

Although commonly referred to as "cryotherapy", such treatment may have other than therapeutic purposes, such as comfort, aesthetics or regularization of physical performance.

In recent years, studies have shown that exposure of the body to very cold temperatures, for a short time ranging from 0.5 minutes to a few minutes, makes it possible to obtain a reaction of the body that produces effects over a prolonged period of time. permed.

Such treatments are based on direct exposure of the skin to air at very low temperatures. Over short periods of time, the indoor temperature is not affected and only the temperature on the surface of the body drops to around + 25 ° C. Thus, results have been obtained in the management of certain global and chronic conditions in the fields of trauma, rheumatology and neurology.

Such types of treatment can also be used to improve a person's general comfort by reactivating his metabolism. Some results can also be obtained aesthetically, for example by an action on the state or appearance of the skin.

A major interest is currently visible in the sports field, in particular competition or high level. Studies show that recovery is made more effective and faster after intense effort, and frailty or risk of injury is reduced.

Over a prolonged period, in training but also in a competition lasting for several days or weeks, physical abilities are also regularized.

The existing systems are installed in some specialized centers, therapeutic type or in some sports complexes or specialized in sports medicine. Such an installation is based on a thermally insulated chamber, cooled by liquid nitrogen or by a special compressor, for example with three compression stages arranged in cascade.

Such compressors are of a very specialized technology, and differ greatly from conventional freezing plants, which are able to reach at best only -60 ⁰ C, and most often -40 ⁰ C only. This type of compressor uses specific fluids, represents a significant consumption, and represents a significant cost and have been developed only recently.

Moreover, even in this way, the warm-up time remains important, since the change from -60 ^° C. to the treatment temperature of -110 ^° C. may require between three and four hours of operation.

Such installations currently exist in few copies and are very expensive, which does not allow to consider equipment for many sites lacking budget and / or not having a sufficiently important use.

Some systems are equipped with one or two prechambers, in which the temperature is maintained at intermediate temperatures, and through which the subjects pass to access or exit the treatment chamber.

Such systems are described in European Patent EP 0 371 072, and are offered by companies such as Zimmer Elektromedizin or Cryo Medizintechnik in Germany or Xolod in Ukraine.

In certain situations, the capacity of a system may sometimes be insufficient, even at two prechambers, for example to treat in optimal time all players of both teams at the end of a meeting of team sports, either at least 22 players in football or 30 in rugby. Thus, the capacity of a two-room installation is given for 10-12 persons / hour and up to 20-25 persons / hour by Xolod company information.

An object of the invention is to overcome all or part of these disadvantages, and in particular:

to increase the flexibility of use of such a system;

- to facilitate access to such treatments for occasional or occasional users or sites;

- improve the performance of this type of treatment, by reducing the time between physical effort and the application of treatment; to reduce the costs of access to such treatments and make better use of the investments made for this type of system;

to reduce the preparation time of such a system;

- to increase the capacity of such a system;

- better integrate this type of treatment in the context of the different types of existing physiotherapy, and optimize their combinations.

For this purpose, the invention provides a whole-body cryotherapy system for human or animal subjects, comprising

At least one treatment chamber of sufficient size to contain at least one subject to be treated, as well as refrigerating means able to bring or maintain at a temperature below -80 ^° C the atmosphere of said treatment chamber.

According to the invention, said processing chamber and said refrigerating means, or at least one of these two elements, are mounted on at least one mobile or transportable self-supporting structure, in a manner allowing implementation from said self-supporting structure . This self-supporting structure may be for example a module or a container containing these elements or a platform supporting these elements.

More particularly, the self-supporting structure is integrated with a road vehicle or a road trailer, or comprises means of attachment to such a vehicle or trailer. This self-supporting structure may also comprise gripping means for handling said self-supporting structure by lifting or handling means, which may themselves be fixed on such a vehicle or trailer.

It is thus possible to move the cryotherapy system, to be able to set it up temporarily and punctually on the place where it is requested. This system can be moved in one or more parts, for example in modules or monobloc containers, which can be fixed or juxtaposed between them. The modules constitute assemblable cells and having the necessary connections to make the assembly operational in a simple manner while avoiding or limiting assembly or adjustment operations at startup.

It is thus possible to offer a mobile service on demand, anywhere, with notice of a few hours to a few days.

This type of service can be aimed at many users who did not previously have the need or the means to invest in an on-site installation, for example small sports training for a few special occasions, at a corresponding cost. to such use.

Moreover, it is thus possible to practice such treatment immediately after an effort, for example at the exit of a sports meeting, even if the meeting takes place on a place not equipped. Indeed, the effect of recovery and smoothing performance is better if the treatment is applied in a relatively short period after the effort, which does not always allow to consider moving the subject or subjects to a place equipped.

By addressing a multiplicity of occasional or occasional customers, it is also easier to amortize the investment that such a system represents, despite the possible additional cost that the mobile nature of the system can generate for the construction. Advantageously, the treatment chamber communicates with the outside through one or more successive prechambers, each of sufficient size to contain at least one subject to be treated, and whose respective atmospheres are brought or maintained at one or more temperatures intermediates between the outside temperature and the temperature of the treatment chamber.

According to the invention, the system may comprise local cryotherapy means that can be used from within at least one prechamber. By applying such a local therapy to the output of the treatment chamber, its effects are then potentiated by the prior passage to - HO ⁰ C.

The skin temperature of a human subject in an environment at +20 ^° C. is normally about + 32 ° C. Local cryotherapy involves cooling the skin by at least 15 ° C to initiate a vasodilatory reaction from within the body. After exposure to -110 ⁰ C, the surface temperature has already fallen, for example around + 25 ° C. Local cryotherapy is applied in a prechamber at -60 ⁰ C or at -1O ⁰ C to bring the skin to the temperature triggering vasodilation, for example around +17 ⁰ C. The effects of this local cryotherapy will be more effective because the cold atmosphere and the reaction already engaged in the body of the subject, and will also be obtained more quickly due to the already lowered surface temperature. By way of example, such a local treatment which would take about 10 minutes in an environment at + 20 ^° C. may require only about a minute in an environment at -10 ^° C. and after exposure at -110 ^° C.

Advantageously, at least one antechamber may comprise a physical separation device defining at least two separate paths between

on the one hand at least one opening communicating with the adjacent space of temperature lower than the temperature of said prechamber, and

- On the other hand at least one opening communicating with the adjacent space of temperature greater than the temperature of said prechamber.

It is thus possible to use one of these courses as an entry route into the processing chamber and the other as an exit route. Such a physical separation will make the organization of the flow of the subjects treated more natural and more efficient. By separating incoming and outgoing subjects into one or both of the prechambers, it is also possible to increase the overall capacity of the system by inserting new subjects into each prechamber at the same time as others exit without prechambers. risk of confusing each other, and limiting the risk of jostling and contact with the walls. It is thus possible to use the treatment chamber closer to its maximum theoretical capacity. The capacity obtained can then exceed 30 or 40 people / hour for a 2 minute exposure in a room of 5 people.

In some embodiments of the invention, the system comprises at least two separable modules, at least one of which is mounted on a mobile or transportable self-supporting structure, so as to allow implementation from said self-supporting structure, one said modules comprising at least the treatment chamber, and the other of said modules comprising at least the refrigerating means or at least one prechamber.

Such modules can be transported on different vehicles, or distributed on a vehicle and its trailer, which makes the system less cumbersome and more flexible transportation.

Thus, it is also possible to move the different elements separately, as needed.

In one of these embodiments, the refrigerating means are mounted on a mobile or transportable self-supporting structure. The system then comprises connection means for connecting said refrigerating means removably to one or more processing chambers constructed or transported independently of said refrigerating means.

Such a configuration makes it possible to position the treatment chamber in advance and save time on the installation. It also makes it possible to install several treatment rooms, possibly permanent, in different places. These different treatment chambers can then be used with the same refrigeration module provided at the desired time, and the cost will be more easily amortized or profitable.

In another of these embodiments, the refrigerating means and the treatment chamber are mounted on one or more structures self-supporting mobile or transportable, and the system may include connection means for releasably connecting said processing chamber to one or more prechambers constructed or transported independently of said refrigerating means.

The prechambers can thus be part of fixed installations, such as changing rooms or a physiotherapy center. Cryotherapy can be practiced in a place where are gathered means and personnel necessary for other treatments, complementary or useful to the same subjects. These other treatments may include electrotherapy, light therapy, laser, massage, hydrotherapy, and other physiotherapy techniques.

In embodiments that can be combined with all or some of the foregoing, the system further comprises second refrigerating means, for example a refrigeration unit of a more conventional and less expensive technology.

These second means can ensure the operation of local cryotherapy means. They can also ensure all or part of the obtaining or maintaining temperature of at least one prechamber of a temperature greater than the treatment chamber. They can still provide a supplement or a preparation for obtaining or maintaining the temperature of the treatment chamber.

For these purposes, the maximum performance of the main refrigerating means is not always necessary. Such secondary means are then more economical and simpler to operate, can be more reliable and stronger, require less maintenance, and better able to operate during transport.

Thus, the invention also provides a method for preparing such a whole body cryotherapy system.

This method comprises a step of transporting the refrigerating means and / or the treatment chamber to a site chosen for occasional or non-permanent use, followed by a step of heating the treatment chamber.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of an embodiment which is in no way limitative, and the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram in side view illustrating a system according to the invention mounted on a semitrailer;

FIG. 2 is a diagram in plan view illustrating the organization of a system according to the invention mounted on a heavy goods vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a diagram in plan view illustrating the organization of a system according to the invention in a variable geometry embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram in side view illustrating a system according to the invention mounted on a carrier vehicle and a separate trailer;

FIG. 5 is a diagram in plan view illustrating an embodiment of the invention with mobile refrigerating chambers treatment chamber and fixed prechambers;

- FIGURE 6 is a diagram in top view illustrating an embodiment of the invention with mobile refrigerating means and fixed treatment chamber.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which all the elements of the cryotherapy system are mounted permanently and functionally on a heavy vehicle, here in the form of a semitrailer 100 constituting the self-supporting and adaptable structure to a road tractor 19. The principle of the semi-trailer vehicle allows a certain flexibility of use and an economy of investment due to the separable and interchangeable road tractor. A similar embodiment could also be achieved on the basis of a coach-type vehicle, for a better compactness on the road and a more typical presentation tourism and comfort.

Onboard parts comprise, starting from the front of functional part: a technical compartment 11 bringing together the specific refrigerant compressor and a generator, the control room 12, then the very cold room 130.

The refrigerating and control elements can typically be of the same type as in existing fixed installations, as provided for example by the company Cryo Medizin and / or the company Bock.

The technical compartment 11 includes a generator supplying all or part of the system, particularly en route. It also includes refrigeration means, for example a specific triple compressor stage to obtain the temperature of -110 ⁰ C in the treatment chamber.

The refrigerating means are suspended by at least one suspended structure, mounted so as to allow implementation from said suspended structure, thus limiting the vibrations they receive during transport.

Such a suspended structure is for example a frame supporting all the elements of the triple-stage compressor, and mounted on the self-supporting structure 100 by means of damping means of a known type, such as a deformable material of the type high-density foam, or closed-cell foam, or rubber mounts, spring-loaded system with hydraulic dampers or hydraulic or oleo-pneumatic suspension.

In the case of a system with separable or unloadable boxes modules as described below, the suspension means may also be located outside the self-supporting structure, that is to say for example between the vehicle and the box .

The control room 12 includes all the means for controlling and monitoring the operation of the system and monitoring the treatment. It has an external access door 121 and a thermally insulated door 122 communicating with the treatment chamber 13, and provided with a window 123 allowing a view on the inside of the treatment chamber 13.

The very cold room is here of a type called "tri-sas" and comprising three successive cabins 13, 14 and 15, thermally insulated and communicating with each other through openings with thermally insulated doors.

Some of the embodiments described here can, however, perfectly be combined with a "dual-hop" or "single-hop" type architecture.

The entry from the outside is through the cabin 15, an outer door 151, giving on a platform or provided with an access ladder during use. This cabin 15 is a first prechamber and forms a temperature intermediate bearing, with an internal temperature of -10 ⁰ C during operation. From this first prechamber 15 can be accessed by a door 141 to another cabin constituting a second prechamber 14, where there is an internal temperature of -60 ^° C. From this second prechamber 14, one can access another cabin constituting the chamber of 13. This processing chamber 13 is also provided with an outer door 132, which can serve as technical access or emergency door.

As seen in FIGURE 2, the first antechamber 15 and the second antechamber 14 are subdivided into two parts 15a, 15b and 14a, 14b respectively by a physical separator, for example a partition 152, 142 or possibly a simple guardrail .

In the first antechamber 15, this partition 152 goes from the outer door 151 to a door 141 communicating with the second prechamber 14. In the second antechamber 14, this partition 142 goes from this same access door 141 to the door 131 communicating with the treatment chamber 13.

This partition 152 is provided at each of its ends with a movable gate 153 and 154, which can be controlled from the control room 12. These gates 153 and 154 can also be designed to move automatically or to be moved manually so as to allow passage to each of the parts 15a and 15b respectively of the antechamber 15 that from one of the access doors 151 respectively 141.

In the same way, the partition 142 of the second prechamber 14 is provided at each of its ends with a movable gate 143 and 144, which can be controlled from the control room 12. These gates 143 and 144 can also be designed to move automatically or be moved manually so as to allow passage to each of the parts 14a and 14b respectively of the antechamber 14 that from one of the access doors 141 respectively 131.

This subdivision by the partitions 152 and 142, as well as the operation of corresponding gates, makes it possible to organize a flow in one direction between the outside and the treatment chamber by the first parts 15a and 14a of the two prechambers in the direction of the entrance, and by the second parts 14b and 15b of these same prechambers in the direction of the exit. In the first prechamber 15 and the second prechamber 1, or only one of the two, preferably in the portion 14b, 15b serving the exit route, local cryotherapy treatment means 149 and 159 are provided, for example to a known type with a movable nozzle projecting cold air between -20 ⁰ C and -45 ° C. These means can thus be used for the specific treatment of certain parts of the body such as the joints or localized muscle disorders, with effects enhanced and facilitated by the combination with the treatment of the whole body.

In a variant not shown, these different doors 151, 141 and 131 are sufficiently wide, or open in two parts, or each comprise two separate doors, to allow the circulation in both directions simultaneously without wicket to maneuver.

In addition, one or more partitions making at least one physical separation device between two prechambers or within a prechamber, are movable or removable.

It is thus possible to move from one configuration to another easily as needed, for example by removing partitions or separators to enlarge the available space and deal with particularly bulky subjects, such as racehorses.

A possible configuration is then to remove the partitions 142 and 152 of each prechambers 14 and 15, to increase the available width or facilitate maintenance.

The separation between the first prechamber 15 and the second prechamber 14 can also be provided movable or removable, which allows to obtain a single antechamber of greater length. By removing the partition 145 between the first antechamber 15 and the second prechamber 14, a "bi-sas" type system is thus obtained.

The outer door 151 and the access door 131 to the treatment chamber are provided to a sufficient size to let such bulky subjects, for example by two independent leaves.

The separation between the second prechamber 14 and the treatment chamber 13 can also be provided movable or removable. By removing the partition 134 between the second prechamber 14 and the treatment chamber 13, a "mono-sas" type system of greater capacity is thus obtained. In FIGURE 3 is illustrated an embodiment where the system comprises at least one movable part 101, 103 allowing a modification of the horizontal dimensions of at least one element that it supports. Such a variable geometry configuration, for example unfoldable or expandable, allows to have sufficient space to stop and in use, without generating too much space during transport or exceed certain regulatory templates or passage on the road.

In this example, the semi-trailer 100 comprises a side platform 101 slidable under the floor of the cabins 12 and 13 or can be folded on the outside of their side wall. This platform 101 is provided with a folding staircase 102 and allows, at a standstill, convenient and safe access to the control room 21 and to the outer door of the treatment chamber 13.

In its rear part, the semitrailer 100 comprises a structure 103 fitting around the outer walls of the second prechamber 14, and being able to slide rearwardly to release a space constituting the first antechamber 15, into which can then be mounted the removable partitions 152 and 142.

Such a variable geometry can of course be combined with other embodiments of the invention, for example with a single vehicle, or an unloadable box or an independent trailer.

In FIGURE 4 is illustrated an embodiment of the invention where the system is divided into two separate modules that can be connected to each other for operation.

A first module 41 is carried by a heavy vehicle 49 and a second module 42 is carried by a trailer 48, which can be towed by the same vehicle 49 or be moved independently.

In this example, the main vehicle 49 carries the technical compartment 11, the control room 12 and the treatment chamber 13, and the trailer 48 carries the two prechambers 14 and 15. One or the other of the two modules 41 and 42 further comprises connection means 488 for a simple and reversible connection of the different fluids or information, and a protection and thermal insulation of the passage between different zones 13, 14 of low temperature. During the transport step, the method may also include pre-cooling at least the treatment chamber with second refrigerating means able to operate during the displacement or the steps of said movement.

This pre-cooling is provided by second refrigerating means 412 capable of operating en route or by connection to the electrical sector in the steps, for example a conventional compressor group as used in transport frozen.

The complete warm-up time after arrival or on-site installation will be reduced.

In FIGURE 5 is illustrated an implementation of the system in an embodiment comprising the processing chamber mounted without prechambers on a vehicle 59.

The vehicle includes a technical compartment 51, the control room 52 and a treatment chamber 53. This vehicle is placed in front of a prechamber 54 forming part of a fixed installation, for example within a building 50. The system comprises connecting means, for example an electrical and computer connection 547 and an expandable lock 548, which can be mounted outside the antechamber 54 or behind the processing chamber 53.

According to the invention, the transporting step is then followed by a step for connecting or securing the treatment chamber to at least one prechamber constructed or transported independently of the treatment chamber, thus making it possible to use existing installations on site or made beforehand.

The system also comprises second on-board refrigeration means 592, capable of operating during the journey or at the stages, to ensure pre-cooling of the treatment chamber 53, and thus to reduce the preparation time of the assembly after arrival of the vehicle .

The installation 50 also comprises a technical room 512 comprising second fixed refrigerating means 512, which make it possible to ensure the cooling or the pre-cooling of the second prechamber 54, as well as the cooling of the first prechamber 55 and the operation of the local processing devices 549 and 559 of the first and second precursors 55 and 54.

In FIGURE 6 is illustrated an embodiment of the invention wherein the system comprises a module 61 including the specific refrigerating means. This module is mounted on a vehicle 69, for example in a self-supporting housing that can be unloaded using an on-board crane or not.

This module is brought close to an installation, which can itself be fixed or mobile in whole or part, for example integrated in a building 60. This installation comprises a processing chamber 63 and a control room 62 to which the refrigerating means of the module 61 are connected by connection means 68 for fluids and information. The refrigerating means of the module 61 may also comprise a mobile part, for example comprising a condenser group, permanently connected to the remainder of said module, and which can be moved a short distance to mate or fit into or near the treatment chamber 13.

The installation 60 also comprises a technical room 612 comprising second refrigerating means, which make it possible to ensure the pre-cooling of the treatment chamber 63 and the second prechamber 64, as well as the cooling of the first prechamber 65 and the operation of the devices. 649 and 659 local processing of the first and second prechambers 65 and 64.

In the various embodiments of the invention, each module may also, alternatively, be integrated with a vehicle or trailer or be mounted on a frame or in a box 480 separable from said vehicle or trailer 48.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Whole body cryotherapy system for human or animal subjects, comprising at least one treatment chamber of sufficient size to contain at least one subject to be treated, as well as compressor refrigeration means capable of bringing or maintaining at a temperature below -80 ^° C the atmosphere of said treatment chamber, characterized in that said treatment chamber and said refrigerating means, or at least one of these two elements, are mounted on at least one mobile or transportable self-supporting structure, and are arranged on said self-supporting structure so as to allow implementation from said self-supporting structure.

2. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the self-supporting structure is integrated with a road vehicle or a road trailer, or comprises means for attachment to such a vehicle or trailer, or gripping means for handling the said structure by means of lifting or handling.

3. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the refrigerating means are suspended by at least one suspended structure, mounted to allow implementation from said suspended structure.

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment chamber communicates with the outside through one or more successive prechambers, each of sufficient size to contain at least one subject to be treated, and whose respective atmospheres are brought or maintained at one or more temperatures intermediate between the outside temperature and the temperature of the treatment chamber.

5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises local cryotherapy means usable from within at least one prechamber.

6. System according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that at least one prechamber comprises a physical separation device defining at least two separate paths between on the one hand at least one opening communicating with the adjacent space of temperature below the temperature of said prechamber, and secondly at least one opening communicating with the adjacent space temperature greater than the temperature of said prechamber.

7. System according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it comprises one or more movable or removable partitions providing at least one physical separation device between two prechambers or within a prechamber.

8. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two separable modules, at least one of which is mounted on a mobile or transportable self-supporting structure, and is arranged on said self-supporting structure so as to allow an implementation from said self-supporting structure, one of said modules comprising at least the processing chamber, and the other of said modules comprising at least the refrigerating means or at least one prechamber.

9. System according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the road vehicle or the road trailer comprises at least one movable part allowing a modification of the horizontal dimensions of at least one element that supports it.

10. System according to one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the refrigerating means are mounted on a mobile or transportable self-supporting structure, said system comprising connecting means for connecting said refrigerating means removably to one or more chambers processors constructed or transported independently of said refrigerating means.

11. System according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the refrigerating means and the treatment chamber are mounted on one or more mobile or transportable self-supporting structures, said system comprising connection means for connecting said treatment chamber. removably to one or more prechambers constructed or transported independently of said refrigerating means.

12. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises second refrigerating means ensuring the operation of local cryotherapy means; or providing all or part of obtaining or maintaining temperature of at least one prechamber of a temperature greater than the treatment chamber; providing a supplement or a preparation for obtaining or maintaining the temperature of the treatment chamber.

13. A method for preparing a system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of transporting the refrigerating means and the treatment chamber, or at least refrigerating means, on a site chosen for a point or non-permanent use, said transport step being at least followed by a step of heating the treatment chamber to its operating temperature.

14. The method of claim 13, characterized in that the transport step includes a pre-cooling of at least the treatment chamber by second refrigerating means operable during the movement or the steps of said movement.

15. Method according to one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the transport step is followed by a step for connecting or securing the treatment chamber to at least one prechamber constructed or transported independently of the treatment chamber .